A British cruiser programme could prompt a debate in the US Congress and force the Netherlands to consider what sort of ship it needed. Japan's fleet plans already provide a way to think about balancing battleships and large cruisers. A 9.2-inch battery would be at a disadvantage against a battleship's 12-inch guns, but speed and armour would make the cruiser a difficult opponent. Buying enough cruisers to cover shipping routes might make more sense for some navies than matching battleship power ship for ship.
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How Japan, the United States and the Netherlands might respond
Japan's Six-Six and Eight-Eight fleet plans frame a choice that other navies would also face if Britain made the 9.2-inch cruiser standard.